John Quincy Adams July 11, 1767 Braintree, Massachusetts Bay – February 23, 1848 Washington, D.C. Federalist (until 1808), Democratic-Republican (1808-1825), National Republican (1825-1848) Term: March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829 Vice President: John C. Calhoun (March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829)
Thematic Content: John Quincy Adams was a well educated and moral man of the north. His ethical ways caused him to be repulsed by the institution of slavery. In the early 1820s, Adams was very famous for his vilification of slavery and his promotion of free speech against it in Congress. In fact, Adams was so passionate against slavery that he proposed a movement in Congress that would allow members to speak openly and present petitions against slavery to the body. Through this action, Adams began to build support in Congress for his anti slavery movement. However, he was not an abolitionist for the fact he believed that radicalism against slavery was a threat to the Union and the experiment of democracy. Adams predicted that the end of slavery would be marked by civil war or the consent of the south, not the work of tireless abolitionists. He believed that if civil war broke out, the president at the time would end slavery with their executive powers, an assumption that held true with President Lincoln. On the contrary, Adams did not work to recognize the free black republic of Haiti because he feared impeachment. During the Adams administration, antislavery was budding in Congress, but the slavery system was still functioning to its full potential.
Thesis: John Quincy Adams entered the United States presidency unfavorably through the “Corrupt Bargain.” He did not receive the majority of the popular vote and a large portion of the American people felt that they should be lead by his rival, Andrew Jackson. The circumstances of his election caused Adams’ administration to be miserable and unsuccessful. He found it increasingly difficult to pass bills through Congress and could not gain support. Although he managed to start the C&O Canal, which created a trade route from the east to the west and promoting economic development, Adams received no praise. His positive decisions were overshadowed by the events of his election. With the Tariff of 1828, Adams effectively split the nation further, using the economy as his means. The divide would become a factor that lead to the Civil War. John Quincy Adams deserves a D+ for his inability to gain support and promoting further separation of the nation.
Goals During Presidency: As a strong nationalist, one of John Quincy Adams’ first goals was to begin internal improvements. He urged Congress to pass a bill for the construction of roads and canals. Adams believed whole-heartedly in the education of Americans and wanted to further promote a national schooling system, which included establishing a national university. Along with education, he believed in federal advocation of the scientific field and other intellectual pursuits. To much of the westerners discontent, Adams sought to stifle expansion attempts, for he wanted to deal fairly with the Native Americans in Georgia. He states in his inaugural address that the unity of the American people is of great importance and that there is no difference in overall principle, a message similar to that of the past President Jefferson.
Relationship With Congress: While Adams held office, the 19th and 20th Congresses were in session.. National Republicans outnumbered the Democratic Republicans in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress. By the numbers, it would seem that John Quincy Adams had a lot of backing by his Congress. However, the opposite was true based on what became known as the “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824. Although many Americans preferred Andrew Jackson, Adams’ rival, he failed to win a majority in the electoral vote. The decision was sent to Congress, where Henry Clay chose Adams under the agreement that he would be Adam’s Secretary of State. Many members of Congress were very bitter about the circumstances of Adams’ election. In the 20th Congress, the majority switched to the Democratic-Republicans in the entire Congress. The switch cemented the Jacksonian support in the Congressional body. While both Congresses were in session, Adams found it very difficult to pass any bills for internal improvements. The Congress snuffed out Adams’ bills immediately, mostly out of spite. The Jacksonians in Congress turned against Adams in 1828 when they attempted to pass a bill that would raise protective tariffs. When Adams passed the tariff, he lost more support of the American people, particularly the South. Overall, Adams’ relationship with Congress was poor, with no significant support.
Positive Action: The most positive action taken by John Quincy Adams was the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal). Adams was a strong advocator of internal improvements and furthering methods of transportation, and felt that they were the way of the future. Plans outlining the path of the canal were drawn up in 1820. By 1824, the Chesapeake and Ohio Company chartered the C&O Canal and as expected, Adams strongly supported the canal. On July 4, 1828, John Quincy Adams broke the earth in Washington, D.C., ceremoniously beginning the construction. During construction, many jobs were created, which brought countless laborers and their families along the project route. The creation of the canal provided a economic trade route between the eastern seaboard and the trans-Allegheny West, which helped to foster the western economy. After the Civil War, the canal was put to use by large coal companies to transport coal from the Allegheny Mountains. With Adams support, the canal changed United States’ commercial trade for the better.
Negative Action: The most negative action taken by Adams during his presidency was the Tariff of 1828. The tariff was an installation of the series of tariffs that began after the War of 1812. It was designed by supporters of Andrew Jackson to weaken Adams in the upcoming election. The Jacksonians in Congress predicted that Adams would reject the tariff, which would lead to loss of his mid-Atlantic support. On May 19, 1828, the tariff bill was passed by Congress and was signed into law by Adams. It was a series of high tariffs that was meant to protect American industry against competition from European manufactured goods. The tariff drove up prices on goods for all Americans and invited retaliatory tariffs abroad on United States agricultural exports. The Tariff of 1828 became known as the “Tariff of Abominations” and was particularly hated by the south as they were the biggest consumer of manufactured goods. It forced those in the south to buy northern goods at a much higher price while they faced a reduction of income from sales of raw materials. Southerners also feared that the tariff would allow the federal government to suppress slavery. The tariff also angered England, who could no longer afford to buy southern cotton and severely lessened their cotton imports. The Tariff of Abominations lead ultimately to the Nullification Crisis of 1832 under the Jackson administration. Due to the growth of Northern manufacturing, the economic net growth increased from $888 million in 1828 to $1.118 billion by 1832. However, the principle of the tariff reflected poorly of Adams presidency and caused many people to believe that the government was discriminating against them economically. The installation of the tariff was a factor that allowed Jackson to sweep the presidency from Adams in 1828.
Influential Decision:
The most influential decision of Adams’ presidency was the hated Tariff of 1828. The abominable tariffs lead to the Nullification Crisis of 1832. The South relentlessly attempted to nullify the tariff in the South Carolina legislature, hoping to make it null and void in South Carolina. This was the first time in American history that the South threatened and attempted to nullify a federal act. The nullification crisis showed the growing tensions between the Northern and the Southern states. Most of the Northern population favored the tariff because it helped to foster their manufacturing system and grow ahead economically. However, Southern inhabitants felt that the government was crushing their economic potential and caused them to be fearful of what they deemed an unconstitutional government. The South became highly dissatisfied with the North and federal government and would eventually seek to succeed from the Union. The Tariff of 1828 indirectly influenced and lead to what would become Civil War between the North and the South.
Conclusion: By the end of Adams’ presidency, the United States was not in a better stance. His administration marked a plateau of American growth. From the “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824, Adams was unable to gain significant support of the American people or of Congress. He supported internal improvements, which manifested itself into the C&O canal. Adams’ backing of the canal helped to expand the American economy and increase internal trade in later administrations. However, Adams created further sectionalism with his agreement to the Tariff of 1828. The tariff angered the American people and further solidified the line between the north and the south, becoming a factor that lead to the outbreak of the Civil War. John Quincy Adams was an unsuccessful president, further dividing a nation which he originally sought to unify.
July 11, 1767 Braintree, Massachusetts Bay – February 23, 1848 Washington, D.C.
Federalist (until 1808), Democratic-Republican (1808-1825), National Republican (1825-1848)
Term: March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
Vice President: John C. Calhoun (March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829)
Thematic Content:
John Quincy Adams was a well educated and moral man of the north. His ethical ways caused him to be repulsed by the institution of slavery. In the early 1820s, Adams was very famous for his vilification of slavery and his promotion of free speech against it in Congress. In fact, Adams was so passionate against slavery that he proposed a movement in Congress that would allow members to speak openly and present petitions against slavery to the body. Through this action, Adams began to build support in Congress for his anti slavery movement. However, he was not an abolitionist for the fact he believed that radicalism against slavery was a threat to the Union and the experiment of democracy. Adams predicted that the end of slavery would be marked by civil war or the consent of the south, not the work of tireless abolitionists. He believed that if civil war broke out, the president at the time would end slavery with their executive powers, an assumption that held true with President Lincoln. On the contrary, Adams did not work to recognize the free black republic of Haiti because he feared impeachment. During the Adams administration, antislavery was budding in Congress, but the slavery system was still functioning to its full potential.
Thesis:
John Quincy Adams entered the United States presidency unfavorably through the “Corrupt Bargain.” He did not receive the majority of the popular vote and a large portion of the American people felt that they should be lead by his rival, Andrew Jackson. The circumstances of his election caused Adams’ administration to be miserable and unsuccessful. He found it increasingly difficult to pass bills through Congress and could not gain support. Although he managed to start the C&O Canal, which created a trade route from the east to the west and promoting economic development, Adams received no praise. His positive decisions were overshadowed by the events of his election. With the Tariff of 1828, Adams effectively split the nation further, using the economy as his means. The divide would become a factor that lead to the Civil War. John Quincy Adams deserves a D+ for his inability to gain support and promoting further separation of the nation.
Goals During Presidency:
As a strong nationalist, one of John Quincy Adams’ first goals was to begin internal improvements. He urged Congress to pass a bill for the construction of roads and canals. Adams believed whole-heartedly in the education of Americans and wanted to further promote a national schooling system, which included establishing a national university. Along with education, he believed in federal advocation of the scientific field and other intellectual pursuits. To much of the westerners discontent, Adams sought to stifle expansion attempts, for he wanted to deal fairly with the Native Americans in Georgia. He states in his inaugural address that the unity of the American people is of great importance and that there is no difference in overall principle, a message similar to that of the past President Jefferson.
Relationship With Congress:
While Adams held office, the 19th and 20th Congresses were in session.. National Republicans outnumbered the Democratic Republicans in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress. By the numbers, it would seem that John Quincy Adams had a lot of backing by his Congress. However, the opposite was true based on what became known as the “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824. Although many Americans preferred Andrew Jackson, Adams’ rival, he failed to win a majority in the electoral vote. The decision was sent to Congress, where Henry Clay chose Adams under the agreement that he would be Adam’s Secretary of State. Many members of Congress were very bitter about the circumstances of Adams’ election. In the 20th Congress, the majority switched to the Democratic-Republicans in the entire Congress. The switch cemented the Jacksonian support in the Congressional body. While both Congresses were in session, Adams found it very difficult to pass any bills for internal improvements. The Congress snuffed out Adams’ bills immediately, mostly out of spite. The Jacksonians in Congress turned against Adams in 1828 when they attempted to pass a bill that would raise protective tariffs. When Adams passed the tariff, he lost more support of the American people, particularly the South. Overall, Adams’ relationship with Congress was poor, with no significant support.
Positive Action:
The most positive action taken by John Quincy Adams was the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal). Adams was a strong advocator of internal improvements and furthering methods of transportation, and felt that they were the way of the future. Plans outlining the path of the canal were drawn up in 1820. By 1824, the Chesapeake and Ohio Company chartered the C&O Canal and as expected, Adams strongly supported the canal. On July 4, 1828, John Quincy Adams broke the earth in Washington, D.C., ceremoniously beginning the construction. During construction, many jobs were created, which brought countless laborers and their families along the project route. The creation of the canal provided a economic trade route between the eastern seaboard and the trans-Allegheny West, which helped to foster the western economy. After the Civil War, the canal was put to use by large coal companies to transport coal from the Allegheny Mountains. With Adams support, the canal changed United States’ commercial trade for the better.
Negative Action:
The most negative action taken by Adams during his presidency was the Tariff of 1828. The tariff was an installation of the series of tariffs that began after the War of 1812. It was designed by supporters of Andrew Jackson to weaken Adams in the upcoming election. The Jacksonians in Congress predicted that Adams would reject the tariff, which would lead to loss of his mid-Atlantic support. On May 19, 1828, the tariff bill was passed by Congress and was signed into law by Adams. It was a series of high tariffs that was meant to protect American industry against competition from European manufactured goods. The tariff drove up prices on goods for all Americans and invited retaliatory tariffs abroad on United States agricultural exports. The Tariff of 1828 became known as the “Tariff of Abominations” and was particularly hated by the south as they were the biggest consumer of manufactured goods. It forced those in the south to buy northern goods at a much higher price while they faced a reduction of income from sales of raw materials. Southerners also feared that the tariff would allow the federal government to suppress slavery. The tariff also angered England, who could no longer afford to buy southern cotton and severely lessened their cotton imports. The Tariff of Abominations lead ultimately to the Nullification Crisis of 1832 under the Jackson administration. Due to the growth of Northern manufacturing, the economic net growth increased from $888 million in 1828 to $1.118 billion by 1832. However, the principle of the tariff reflected poorly of Adams presidency and caused many people to believe that the government was discriminating against them economically. The installation of the tariff was a factor that allowed Jackson to sweep the presidency from Adams in 1828.
Influential Decision:
The most influential decision of Adams’ presidency was the hated Tariff of 1828. The abominable tariffs lead to the Nullification Crisis of 1832. The South relentlessly attempted to nullify the tariff in the South Carolina legislature, hoping to make it null and void in South Carolina. This was the first time in American history that the South threatened and attempted to nullify a federal act. The nullification crisis showed the growing tensions between the Northern and the Southern states. Most of the Northern population favored the tariff because it helped to foster their manufacturing system and grow ahead economically. However, Southern inhabitants felt that the government was crushing their economic potential and caused them to be fearful of what they deemed an unconstitutional government. The South became highly dissatisfied with the North and federal government and would eventually seek to succeed from the Union. The Tariff of 1828 indirectly influenced and lead to what would become Civil War between the North and the South.
Conclusion:
By the end of Adams’ presidency, the United States was not in a better stance. His administration marked a plateau of American growth. From the “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824, Adams was unable to gain significant support of the American people or of Congress. He supported internal improvements, which manifested itself into the C&O canal. Adams’ backing of the canal helped to expand the American economy and increase internal trade in later administrations. However, Adams created further sectionalism with his agreement to the Tariff of 1828. The tariff angered the American people and further solidified the line between the north and the south, becoming a factor that lead to the outbreak of the Civil War. John Quincy Adams was an unsuccessful president, further dividing a nation which he originally sought to unify.
Bibliography
"Chesapeake and Ohio Canal." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Sept. 2012. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_and_Ohio_Canal>.
"John Quincy Adams: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Oct. 2012. < http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25809>.
"John Quincy Adams." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 July 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams>.
"Learning to Give, Philanthropy Education Resources That Teach Giving and Civic Engagement." Learning to Give. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper191.html>.
"Module Introduction & Document List: Washington D.C. History Matters." Module Introduction & Document List: Washington D.C. History Matters. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://dchistorymatters.org/introduction.php?mod=9>.
"Tariff of 1828." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Mar. 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_1828>.